Methods of operating balancing systems of washing machine appliances with motion sensors

Abstract

A washing machine appliance and related methods are provided. The washing machine appliance has a wash tub, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a balancing system comprising a plurality of fluid chambers defined in the wash basket. The method includes rotating the wash basket within the wash tub at a basket speed. The method also includes receiving, with the balancing system, a first signal from a measurement device and receiving, with the balancing system, a second signal from a controller of the washing machine appliance. The method further includes opening a valve to provide fluid to at least one of the plurality of fluid chambers of the balancing system based on the first signal and the second signal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances, such as horizontal axis washing machine appliances, and methods for monitoring load balances in such washing machine appliances.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Washing machine appliances generally include a cabinet which receives a wash tub for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, or other wash additives). The wash tub may be suspended within the cabinet by a suspension system to allow some movement relative to the cabinet during operation. A basket is rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, the wash fluid is directed into the wash tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. A drive assembly is coupled to the wash tub and configured to rotate the wash basket within the wash tub to agitate articles within the wash ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a washing machine appliance, and more particularly, to a method and system for balancing and operating the washing machine appliance. The method includes rotating the wash basket at a speed and receiving signals from a measurement device and controller of the washing machine appliance. The balancing system is then activated to provide fluid to at least one of a plurality of fluid chambers based on the signals. The technical effect of this invention is to improve the stability and efficiency of the washing machine appliance during operation.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, when the basket rotates, in particular during a spin cycle, the imbalance in clothing weight may cause the basket to be out-of-balance within the tub, such that the axis of rotation does not align with the cylindrical axis of the basket or tub.

Such out-of-balance issues can cause the basket to contact the tub during rotation and can further cause movement of the tub within the cabinet.

Significant movement of the tub can, in turn, generate increased noise and vibrations and / or cause excessive wear and premature failure of appliance components.

However, such systems often fail to accurately determine the position of articles within the tub or basket or detect or compensate for an out-of-balance condition.

Moreover, such systems often require additional components and / or sensors, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of the appliance.

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